Alexis Glaciermage's Arc

Chapter 6 of 13

Rosa appeared on the quarterdeck after sunset, ledger tucked under one arm. She waited until Alexis finished calling a heading correction before speaking. "I need to show you something," the trader said. Her voice was level, but her knuckles were white against the leather binding. Alexis followed Rosa to the portside deck where the trader spread the scroll flat against the rail, weighing the corners with stones. The numbers ran in tight columns down the parchment. Rosa's finger traced a line near the bottom. "The Corsair's hull needs repair. Two thousand gold minimum, due in four weeks or their drydock contract expires." She moved her finger up. "They're carrying three hundred gold in liquid assets. The rest is tied up in cargo they can't sell until they reach Crescent Harbor—two days from now. If we take their contract, we could lock them out of the drydock for the season." Alexis looked at the numbers, then at the horizon ahead where the first stars were appearing. The wind held steady from the northwest. They'd make port tomorrow evening if nothing changed. The Corsair would arrive six hours later—time enough to offload and claim the contract if Alexis pushed the crew through the night. But pushing meant risking the canvas in darkness, and a torn sail would cost them the window entirely. She thought of the captain's hands steady on the wheel when the Corsair raised their flag. He'd trusted her to hold course then. Now she had to decide if winning this fight was worth gambling the ship's reputation on a night run. She rolled the scroll and handed it back to Rosa. "We run full canvas until dawn, then I go aloft to check for wear. If the rigging holds, we push through. If it doesn't, we arrive when we arrive." Rosa's shoulders dropped half an inch. "That's not a guarantee." Alexis met her eyes. "No. But it's the truth. I won't promise the captain a victory I can't deliver." She turned back toward the quarterdeck where Rikki stood at the wheel, his silhouette sharp against the last light. The choice was made. They'd chase the advantage, but only as far as the ship could bear it.